The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

In December 2006, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. In this context, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD successfully advocated the inclusion of disabled persons in development cooperation and their active participation in this process (Article 32).

Based on the new Convention persons with disabilities can make specific claims for the implementation of their rights such as barrier-free access to health services - this means, for example, buildings and information fully accessibility to persons with disabilities, within community reach (not in a far away city) and with equal treatment by doctors. The broad range of rights enshrined in the Convention also includes the rights of children with disabilities, the right to mobility and the right to education. Furthermore, the Convention is an awareness raising tool.

Marianne Schulze, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD, Stefan Barriga, Liechtenstein, First Secretary, Dr. Erwin Buchinger, Minister for Social Affairs, Austria

On 30 March 2007, the European Community signed the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on its opening day for signature. This was the first time the European Community has signed a core UN human rights convention. The Convention will provide protection for 650 million people with disabilities worldwide. Austria was among the 81 states to sign the convention on the first day possible.

Since the Opening Ceremony at the General Assembly on 30 March more than half of the UN Member States have signed this Convention. This is a record-breaking number. As of early July, there were 98 signatory countries plus the European Commission. One country, Jamaica, has also completed the ratification process. More signatures and ratifications, (the legal implementation of the Convention into national law), are expected at the opening of the 62nd General Assembly starting in mid-September.

In addition, the Optional Protocol, which allows individuals to submit petitions regarding violations of the Convention to the Committee in charge of monitoring its implementation, has been signed by a record-breaking 54 countries in the first three months.

For further information please contact: Sophie Beaumont tel+ 322 275 0085 email: sophie.beaumont@light-for-the-world.net

Facts on the UN Convention and on persons with disabilities: http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/facts.shtml